Large Oval Antique French Silver Plated Champagne Cooler

An antique French champagne cooler from Chanteduc, Patricia and Walter Wells’s Provençal home. Found at a French flea market, this large oval vessel has presided over countless gatherings, easily chilling three or four bottles for long lunches and happy aperitifs. Patricia recalls with a grin, “It’s sexy, and great for a party!” A reflection of her world of markets, gardens, and shared tables, it embodies intelligent simplicity and generous hospitality. Silver plated and beautifully made, the cooler features an oval basin with a beaded rim and foot, sturdy side handles, and a bright interior that catches the light. The exterior shows a mellow, working patina with scattered marks that speak to decades of convivial service at Chanteduc. Substantial yet graceful, it reads as a confident centerpiece rather than a prop, equally at home beside a platter of oysters or a bowl of garden lemons. Set it on a buffet or terrace table heaped with ice for champagne and rosé, or repurpose it as a dramatic centerpiece filled with hydrangeas or kitchen herbs. Useful, handsome, and personal, it brings the easy elegance of Provence to any setting while carrying the provenance of a culinary icon.